This week I met representatives from Stourbridge’s local Waterway Partnership to find out more about the work of The Canal & River Trust.

The Trust looks after 2,000 miles of the UK’s waterways, including a section which falls within Stourbridge, and it was useful to hear what more can be done to maintain the Stourbridge Canal.

I also met representatives from the Royal National Institute of Blind People to support the launch of their latest report. A worrying nationwide survey has shown that patients, often with treatable illnesses, are sometimes going blind due to unacceptably long waiting times. This is something which absolutely must be tackled, and I will be doing what I can to support the Institute’s work.

As part of my work with the Parliamentary Group for Human Trafficking, I took part in a mini-inquiry into trafficking data. There is a great concern about the quality of the data collected on modern slavery and unless this issue is addressed efforts to reduce human trafficking will be hampered. The evidence given in this session will be instrumental to the debate around the Modern Slavery Bill which is due to be introduced in 2014.

Last weekend I was lucky enough to witness Stourbridge FC win 4-1 against Biggleswade; and I am thrilled that the Glassboys have made it into the 2nd Round, away to Stevenage on December 7th.

I am extremely concerned by the consultation issued by Dudley Council which recommends the closure of seven children’s centres across the borough. I will be getting to the bottom of why three of the centres earmarked for closure are in Stourbridge and what can be done to save these vital services.

I am very sorry to have lost two good friends in the last fortnight.

The wonderful William Martin, late husband of former Mayor of Dudley, Cllr Pat Martin, passed away after an illness aged 98. And Barbara Freeston, a delightful lady and member of my own Parish of Oldswinford, who passed away after a long illness. Both will be much missed by their family and many friends.

Margot James MP

Margot can be contacted on 01384 370574 or margot.james.mp@parliament.

uk. You can also sign up to her regular newsletter at www.margotjames.

com/subscribe or you can write to her at 15-17 Lawn Avenue, Stourbridge, DY8 3UR.